Modern Mining April 2017

PRODUCT News

New pump proves itself at ferrochrome plant

addressed by a larger diameter expeller and high chrome shaft sleeve and lantern ring. The pump also features a discharge piece designed to eliminate the need to remove the discharge pipe during routine maintenance. According to Pienaar, the client has benefitted handsomely from the installa- tion of CURVE™ pumps. “The major benefit in investing in the CURVE™ is cost saving. Through the use of the latest design and technology, these pumps are highly dura- ble and thereby reduce the Total Cost of Ownership. Along with this, the CURVE™ pumps boast a longer wear life cycle, are safer to work on and require maintenance less often.” PAT has been monitoring the perfor- mance of the first pumps installed at the client’s plant on an on-going basis. “One of the most astounding results we have seen so far is a 73 % reduction in downtime. The pump is only opened every third mainte- nance cycle due to its longer wear life. This was measured in comparison to the wear life and required maintenance of the previ- ously installed pumps,” says Pienaar. Elaborating on the report, he says the pump has also reduced electricity con- sumption due to its efficient design. “An 8 % power reduction was reported. This power saving is achieved throughout the life cycle of the pump. Slurry flows through the pump in a more natural flow pattern. A uniform wear design means that the hydraulic profile is maintained and effi- ciency remains ‘higher for longer’.” Additional benefits that the client has reported with this pump include quick conjunction with the cannon, thus enabling two firefighters to fight a fire simultane- ously, increasing the effectiveness of the system dramatically. The Blaze Buster consists of four 230 litre self-contained and premixed foam cylin- ders. A total of 600 litres of water available with a continuous foam discharge duration of up to three minutes means its capacity is comparable to that of three commercial 8 500 litre fire engines. “The main advan- tage of the system is that no diesel engine, pumps, or any external water supply are required,” Jansen van Rensburg explains.

Pump and Abrasion Te c hno l og i e s ® (PAT ) unveiled its new CURVE™ range of pumps in September last year. A prominent South African

and easy dismantling, inspection and reas- sembly; improved safety when working on the pump; excellent sealing over the trial period; and essentially choke-free operation. A 52 % reduction in total ownership cost was reported with a number of factors contributing to the reduction. Firstly, the pump’s adjustable suction liner maintains optimal clearances, thereby reducing wear and improving efficiency. Then there is the one-piece volute liner that improves the liner wear life from 10 weeks to 30 weeks. An assessment of the pump also revealed that the pump impeller at 15 weeks had visibly reduced wear compared to the previously installed pump at just five weeks. Pienaar explains how these results prove the CURVE™ range’s ability to out- perform older technology pumps on the market.“When we examine the basic oper- ating conditions of the previous pump and the CURVE™ pump in the trial application, they are virtually the same,” he says. “Both pumps have rubber liners and a 35% chrome impeller. In terms of expected performance, both pumps offer 38 ℓ/s and specific gravity (SG) was unchanged at 1,5. The duty covered by both pumps is the transfer-to-plant with a particle size of 80 % less than 1,5 mm. “In spite of many similarities on paper, the CURVE™ S150’s performance is out- standing. It proves that PAT’s design and engineering is absolutely cutting edge and that the company can deliver on the claimed benefits of the CURVE™ range.” Pump and Abrasion Technologies®, tel (+27 11) 666-0904/5 Another major benefit is that the foam unit does not require any start-up time, which means it is primed and ready for immediate deployment. The system is also exceptionally lightweight and therefore highly portable, weighing in at under a tonne. It can be fitted to a single or club/ supercab pick-up or trailer. The Blaze Buster can be reinstated on site rapidly by simply refilling the cylinders with the necessary quantity of water, using the measuring equipment that is included, and adding a 1 % foam additive, also included. It is then re-pressurised within

ferrochrome p r o c e s s i ng p l a n t wa s among the

first companies to adopt this new technol- ogy by implementing a project to change all its pumps to the CURVE range. The conversion project commenced with the installation of the first CURVE™ pump on 1 November 2016. Since then, this pump’s performance has reportedly surpassed all expectations while being closely monitored to validate the actual performance of CURVE™ pumps in real- world applications and conditions. “This was in effect the first true test of the CURVE™ S150 pump,” says James Pienaar, PAT Sales Director. “The change- over of all existing pumps at the client’s plant to the CURVE™ range is a process that takes time but we are currently stand- ing at over 10 CURVE™ pumps installed and operating at the plant.” The S150 model offers several innova- tive features. These include a one-piece volute liner, fully profiled impeller vanes, an adjustable throatbush, an enhanced cutwater profile, and a clip-in suction joint. Sealing performance and life have been

The CURVE™ S150 pump from Pump and Abrasion Technologies.

Rapid-response, self-contained foammist system Mining operations and many other indus- tries all require a rapid response in the event of any fire emergency on site to mini- mise potential damage and loss of life.

It is for this reason that I-CAT Fire Solutions has developed the Blaze Buster, a rapid-response, self-contained foam mist system, says I-CAT Business Development and Marketing Director Lourens Jansen van Rensburg. The system has a large cannon with a discharge range of about 40 m, in addition to a retractable mist hose reel. This is fitted with an additional gun that can be used in

minutes with nitrogen. I-CAT, website: www.i-cat.co.za

40  MODERN MINING  April 2017